The Negro Baseball Leagues 44-cent commemorative, a two-stamp strip, was issued by the by the U.S. Postal Service on July 15 in Kansas City, Mo., home of the Kansas City Monarchs, one of the premier teams in Negro League baseball.

APThese undated images provided by the US Postal Service show postage stamps commemorating the Negro Leagues Baseball, and Andrew "Rube" Foster, founder of the league and considered the "father of Negro Leagues baseball."

One of the stamps, which accompanies today’s column, depicts Andrew “Rube” Foster, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame who organized the Negro National League in Kansas City in 1920. He earned the nickname “Rube” when he defeated Hall of Fame major league pitcher Rube Waddell in an exhibition game in 1902 and once won 44 games in a row.

“The stamps were previewed in May at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, N.J., one of just three remaining Negro League ballparks. Hinchcliffe has been closed since 1997 and is in disrepair. The New York Black Yankees played there for more than a decade beginning in 1933, and it was where Larry Doby played his high school games and had his tryout for the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League, which he joined at the age of 17.”

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Authenticator and now author Jimmy Spence has released his first book “Team Baseballs-Artifacts of the Game.”

“Whether you collect team-signed baseballs, or intend to buy one, or only admire them from afar, this is the book for you. (These) experts and will steer you clear of forgeries, facsimile balls, deceptive clubhouse signers, and a severe case of buyer’s remorse,” writes John Thorn, baseball historian and author of “Total Baseball.”HALL RECAP

Unfortunately I missed the events in Cooperstown this year. I spent the weekend in Cobleskill General Hospital as I had some scares. All is well and I have a report from friends that were there.

On my way up on July 22, I met Clarence “Smiley” McGhie at a rest stop on the NYS Thruway. I was headed to Cooperstown and he was headed to Saratoga for the opening of the racing season. Always an Islander looking over one’s shoulder.

On a steamy summer night in Cooperstown, history rode right down Main Street. The Hall of Fame Parade of Legends debuted on July 25 to rave reviews as fans lined the sidewalks 10 deep to catch a glimpse of the greatest players ever.

More than 40 Hall of Famers, including Class of 2010 electees Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog, were cheered as they rode down the street and into the Hall of Fame for an evening reception.

With 47 Hall of Famers in Cooperstown to help celebrate the induction of the Class of 2010 at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, fans had plenty of chances to touch a little bit of history on Saturday. Members present included Aaron, Bench, Boggs, Brett, Bunning, Cepeda, Feller, Fingers, Ford, Gossage, Henderson, Jackson, Kiner, Lasorda, Mays, Murray, Niekro, Perry, Seaver, Weaver, Winfield, and Yount to name a few.

The actual induction ceremonies were July 25, and 50 Hall of Famers were on hand as Andre Dawson, Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog were inducted.

The usually stoic Dawson, an eight-time All-Star outfielder and one of just two Hall of Famers — along with Willie Mays — with at least 400 career homers and 300 stolen bases, joked with his new Hall of Fame teammates during his speech before reflecting on the experience.

“I will never forget this day, and I will never forget those who helped make it possible,” Dawson said. “I will never forget that it was my love for the game that propelled me and kept it going when times got tough. I will never forget that if you love this game, it will love you back.”

Harvey, was the ninth umpire elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He rarely let his emotions show on the field. Not so during the ceremony.

“As we all know, Cooperstown is the home of baseball,” Harvey said during his speech, which was pre-recorded due to the after-effects of a bout with throat cancer. “One of the many duties of the home plate umpire is to make sure that the runner touches home. Well, if you are a true baseball fan, you need to visit Cooperstown. This is home.”

Herzog, who managed for 18 seasons and led the Cardinals to the 1982 World Series title, becomes the 19th former big league manager inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“Being elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York,” Herzog said, “is like going to heaven before you die.”

A special highlight of the afternoon was Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty performing his classic “Centerfield.” The Hall honored Fogerty for his song and the impact of the timeless classic.

After the ceremony, an exhibit dedicated to Fogerty, featuring his bat guitar “Slugger” and the original lyrics that Fogerty penned opened at the Hall of Fame, with Fogerty on hand.

Next year’s ceremony is July 24 and a partial list of first-time eligibles includes Jeff Bagwell, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro and Staten Island Sports Hall of Famer John Franco.SHOW TIME